of the Divine Healer
(Mary Ann Niemier)
March 6, 1942 - December 1, 2005
Holy Spirit Province
Australia
“You are with Jesus, by His grace you live with Him. He is with you, near you, and in you. He will never forsake you. If you remain faithful to him, he shall act in you and through you, enlisting your participation in everything in order to reward you.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, March 28, 1885) .
These words of Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd were the influencing factor in the life and death of Sister Jude. It was during the local parish Mass that Sister Jude quietly passed into eternal life, as hospital staff hovered attentively.
Mary Ann Niemier was born to parents Aloysius and Lottie on March 6, 1942 in South Bend Indiana, USA. She is survived by: her brother Al, her sister Stella and her brother, Father Roch OFM.
Approximately, 46 years ago, Sister Jude chose as her mystery: “Jesus the Divine Healer.” A paradox! It was as though she realized that only in the unfolding of the mystery could she be truly healed.
Her years on earth were extraordinary. She experienced ill health for many years. Her last illness seemed like the others and most of us who knew her – believed that she would pull through, as she always seemed to do. Yet in hindsight it was different. As the recuperation time continued, each day she would say, “I don’t know what’s happening – but we’ll see, I‘ll be all right.” (Was that wishful thinking?) Throughout her illness Sister Jude had tremendous confidence in her doctors and medical staff.
Sister Jude spent her professional life in the area of Primary School as a teacher and principal in the United States of America and Australia in Canberra ACT, Marayong, NSW and Stafford Queensland. When she moved from direct involvement in schools, she maintained an interest in Education through her involvement in Human Resources with Catholic Education in Canberra. When Sister Jude’s health began to deteriorate she moved into the area of a volunteer Telephone Councillor. She was very committed to her involvement with people who had a special need to make contact with someone and yet remain anonymous.
Her enjoyment of reading often gave her a topic of conversation. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, love of her religious community, involvement in Education of children, telephone counselling and of course, interest in and flare for craft work.
Sister Jude tried to see the good in everyone. She found her inspiration in the words of Isaiah: “I have called you by your name, you are mine. I have carved you in the palm of my hands.” She was an early riser and often would begin her day by watching the sunrise, symbolic of an opportunity to start again. In life, Sister Jude lived one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; trusting that God would make all things right; and that she would be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
The earthly phase of Sister Jude’s life is closed. All of a sudden her life is measured by its past. She is in the hands of God. Part of us has died. We were not ready. Yet in many ways Sister Jude was ready! There is a season for everything – a time to live and a time to die. “Reputation may be what women and men think of us but character is what God and the angels know of us.” We farewell, Sister Jude a woman of character.
May God grant all of us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; courage to change the things we can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Digitized by S. Brendan O'Brien, CSFN
Instructor
School of Arts & Sciences
History Department
Holy Family University
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-637-7700 x3279
srbrendan@holyfamily.edu
http://web3.holyfamily.edu/srbrendan
Last updated: February 2006